Crop Developmental Delays Worry Northern Corn Belt

Crop developmental delays remain a concern in the northern Corn Belt, which today saw morning low temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, USDA reports. Nonetheless, 72% of soybeans were rated good to excellent as of July 13, the highest quality that crop has reached since Aug. 8, 2004 when good to excellent conditions reached 73%.

Significant rainfall is expected this week in the southern Plains and Southeast, with dry conditions expected in the Corn Belt. Lightning strikes have created wildfires in Oregon, where hot and dry conditions remain a problem. Meanwhile, monsoon rains have helped renew rangelands and trim irrigation requirements in the Four Corners region that includes Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.

The outlook for July 20 to July 24 calls for near- to above-normal temperatures in much of the U.S. The interior Southeast will experience some cooler-than-normal temperatures.

Click the play button below to watch AgDay’s weather forecast for Tuesday, July 15, 2014: